First Fed continues support for ACC’s Electrical Power Technical Center

Martin Thomson, chairman of the First Federal Community Foundation, and Michael Mahler, president and CEO of First Federal of Northern Michigan, recently presented Alpena Community College President Olin Joynton and ACC Foundation Executive Director Penny Boldrey with a donation of $2,000.

The gift is the second installment toward a $10,000 pledge to the college’s Electrical Power Technology Center project.

“First Federal of Northern Michigan is excited to be involved in the Electrical Power Technology Center project because of the impact it will have on our community,” Mahler said in making the presentation. “Supporting these types of community oriented projects is exactly what the board had intended when they formed the First Federal Community Foundation back in 2005.”

Mahler also said that ACC is a cornerstone of the community and that “we are in support of any initiatives that help the college further expand the impact it has on the region and the students.”

ACC’s Electrical Power Technology Center project is a $5 million partnership between the State of Michigan and private financial resources. The 21,000-square foot expansion and renovation project will meet the needs of ACC’s utility technology and technician students and industry partners.

The transformation of the college’s highly regarded UTT programs will enable more students to enroll in both the traditional utility technology programs and in new programs incorporating renewable energy sources and smart grid technology.

“Today’s donation continues the First Federal Community Foundation trend of strong support over many years for scholarships and capital improvements at ACC,” said Joynton. “First Federal boasts many ACC graduates and actively encourages further education for its employees. Two members of the ACC Board of Trustees with ties to First Federal represent the bank well in their long-term commitment to public service. ACC could not be more fortunate to enjoy benefits from this pillar of the business community, for which I am profoundly grateful.”

College officials and Building a Powerful Future campaign volunteers will be completing their fundraising efforts over the next couple of months. The Electrical Power Technology Center project will soon become a reality with a groundbreaking currently planned for April.

Boldrey said, “Campaign volunteers have been working diligently to assist us in our fundraising efforts. Thanks to the generous support of individuals, businesses, organizations and foundations, the college has reached 96 percent of its goal, and has just $215,639 remaining.”

Anyone who would like to make a donation in support of the Electrical Power Technology Center, contact Boldrey at 358-7297 or email boldreyp@alpenacc.edu.